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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russia’s President, Putin Celebrate their Nations 25 Year Relationship
We have continually seen the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly speaking about the necessity for peace. We have also seen our current leadership dishonoring the Prime Minister by not seeing him when he is in America. These truly are interesting days that we are living in. When the President of America is not embracing Benjamin Netanyahu, there is another president that is: Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Yes, Russia.
As Breaking Israel News reports, Prime Minister Netanyahu was recently in Russia visiting to discuss important topics of the Syrian Civil War, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and the visitation to the “Open a Door to Israel” exhibit for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. One of the notable statements made while at this exhibit was when Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “We certainly feel at home. Israel’s doors are open to Russia and Russia’s doors are open to Israel.”
We must continue to not only pray for the peace and safety of Israel, but also for the leadership of America to recognize and stand alongside Israel during these times. Hear more about the past meetings between Prime Minister Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: safety, Israel, museum, exhibit, President Obama, and prayer. John shared in this segment.
Are We in the Beginning of a Recession and What You Can do to Prepare?
It has been said in more ways than one regarding the days of difficulty that are ahead of us. It will be the best of times and it will be the worst of times. Through many visions, dreams and prophetic words, the Lord has been revealing to us what is upon us. The days that we are facing today require prayer. A recent report regarding America’s economy is pointing to signs that may highlight the coming economic collapse.
According to Michael Snyder, there is a particular sign that occurs “right before a recession”. Snyder points to a recent report that points to the number of temporary help in America, or lack of temporary help services. According to Snyder, “you can see that the number of temporary workers peaked and started to decline rapidly before we even got to the recession of 2001.” The same occurred before the recession in 2008. By looking at a possible identical third pattern of what happened in 01’ and 08’, “that is a major red flag”.
There are certain things that God has for us to do. Instead of asking God to bless what we are doing, we must do what God is already blessing. By responding, in wisdom now, we are able to be there for others in times of crisis and hardship.
Venezuela is currently facing dire situations. Reportedly, people are hunting dogs and cats in order to eat them. Their inflation is at 1000%. Essentially, if a gallon of milk were to cost $5, now it would be $50. It is not for us to respond fearfully or in anxiety, but to know that God is giving us another sign of what is to come. Now is the time to prepare. The question is, how do we prepare?
Some would state that “God is going to take care of me!” Yes, the Lord did say that in the Bible. But, as Rick Joyner shares, “We have a couple of incidences in Scripture where He says ‘Stand and see the salvation of the Lord’…well many Christians build their whole theology on that when there are 200 times when He tells His people to fight.” So what do we do? Joyner shares the practical wisdom of simply grabbing a few more cans of food each and every time we visit the grocery store. That is what was shared a few years ago. Today, there is an increased urgency. “I would step it up, as I believe the time is getting shorter.” In addition, Joyner shares, “I think you need to mirror that with spiritual preparation.” The days that we are facing will bring in the harvest. As we prepare with natural food, having spiritual food, Bibles, to share with many others is wisdom! These are the moments when we can be most fruitful for the Lord.
No matter what we’re facing, we can turn our hearts to the Lord. When our backs are against the wall, and we have no other option but God, this is when we see God doing beautiful things. Though the economies of the world may be experiencing hardships and recessions, the Kingdom of God is not. Be encouraged and reminded that God is still in control. Hear the full report of the latest jobs in America, what is happening in Venezuela, how to prepare, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: economic collapse, inflation, quantitative easing, George Soros, unemployment, jobs, recession, depression, currency, Venezuela, wisdom, crisis, and humility. John and Steve shared in this segment.
Francis Chan: Don’t Focus on Marriage, Focus on the PURPOSE of Marriage: Making Disciples
In our present culture, marriage is a continual topic. The backbone of any society is the family, but what is God’s perspective of marriage? God wants us to have blessings, but when we receive these blessings, we can begin to focus on the blessing, and not on God who provided the blessing. This can be very true of what takes place within marriages today.
God has a will and a purpose for each one of us. Some of us may get married, and some may not. If we do get married, the purpose for our lives shouldn’t change. Instead of focusing our entire lives wholly on our spouses and our families, how does one live continually focused on God? These are the very points that Francis Chan brings wisdom to as he points to the purpose of marriage.
Chan brings emphasis to 1 Corinthians 7:29, “What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not.” This life is short. We begin to make dramatically different decisions when we understand to brevity of our lives. Marriage isn’t about marriage; it’s about God. Chan knows this all too well. His mother died giving birth to him. His step-mother died in a car accident and his dad died of cancer when Chan was 12 years old. Marriage is not forever.
Chan emphasizes that marriages must be about this mission. “Time is short. It’s about this mission. You got to get it. There’s got to be a mission to your marriage. You both have to understand, ‘Look, here’s what I’m on the Earth to do.’”Jesus could not have been clearer when He told His disciples in Matthew 28:30, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Many kids have played follow the leader; but when it comes to following Jesus, we have turned His commandments into just simply memorizing what the scripture says. No parent will accept a child memorizing what chores they were supposed to do instead of simply doing it. As parents, if we understand the obvious reality of this analogy, how can we be surprised that a life of not making disciples is not acceptable before Christ.
Each of us should have an undivided devotion to the Lord. Chan asks this provoking question, “What do you think about during a given day? Do you spend time thinking about family affairs or the Lord’s affairs? Thinking about what God wants you to do as a family, or just thinking about your family?” He continues to share, “I’m telling you, if you’re focused on the mission of God, that’s what brings this whole thing together.” The life that we live is not about this life, it’s about being effective in this life. Life is but a vapor. We are here for but a short time, and then eternity.
Allow your perspective of marriage to greatly be challenged, be reminded of a heavenly devotion to Christ, the importance of being a disciple and making disciples, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: relationships, covenant, marriage, eternity, obedience, worship, missions, Africa, death, vision, Simon Says, division, and Emmaus Road. John and Steve shared in this segment.